Manager Darren Ferguson, assistant Kevin Russell and first team coach David Unsworth all travelled to the north east on Wednesday night to see the youth team stun Academy side Sunderland with two late equalisers and then book a fifth round tie with a convincing 3-0 penalty shoot out triumph.

Whilst the players were still celebrating on the pitch the Lilywhites' chief spoke to PNE.Com to give his verdict on the youngsters: "I am absolutely delighted for them. It was brilliant; absolutely fantastic.

"The whole lot of them deserve credit, the coaches, the staff, but the players mainly because they were just fantastic.

"They twice scored in the last minute, once in normal time and once in extra time and I thought they were superb - they deserved it. They showed great spirit, played some really good football and some of them definitely have a good chance.

"We didn't look out of place against an Academy side with players who had played in the Premier League. We showed all the ingredients; good character, good football, never gave up and I am very pleased. The staff have obviously done a very good job with them and it was a good night for the Club."

With Danny Mayor's debut at the weekend and Conor McLaughlin signing professional terms earlier in the week, things look promising for the youth set up and the manager is looking forward to welcoming more of them into his squad.

"It bodes well for the Club. I said from day one that you look for people coming through the system and we have certainly got one or two, if not more, that have a big, big chance. Some have come through; the likes of Danny Mayor and Conor has just signed a contract and it is fantastic; a great result and I am really pleased.

"I would like to think people will want to come and see what these boys are about in the next round. They beat Manchester City, who had got to the final last year, and then have come to Sunderland and deservedly won. If it's Everton next then there's a bit of a connection with Moyesie and I hope people do come because they will see some very good players."